Short answer: the Dynaudio LYD 5. It ranks #6 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $998. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #64, rated 3.6/5, at $399.98, $598.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Yamaha HS5 does well: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Dynaudio LYD 5 lacks. Watch for: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance.
The Dynaudio LYD 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. ASR’s Klippel data is substantially stronger than a low ranking suggests: 4.72 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 1.9dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz. Its bass reaches about 68Hz before falling 3dB, against 88Hz for the Yamaha HS5. The catch: Bass reaches -3dB around 72Hz, so it gives up low-frequency weight to deeper-reaching monitors.
Buy the Dynaudio LYD 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $598.02 you would save on the Yamaha HS5 does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Dynaudio LYD 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $998 per pair |
| Ranked | #64 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #6 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | 10.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.3”D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” woofer, 28mm soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| DSP | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS4 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Yamaha HS7 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5), the Yamaha HS8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dynaudio LYD 5: $998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data is substantially stronger than a low ranking suggests: 4.72 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 1.9dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz. Low listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.242 supports relatively uncolored midrange reproduction. It is particularly competitive when used with a subwoofer rather than judged only by bass reach. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 72Hz, so it gives up low-frequency weight to deeper-reaching monitors. The existing review identifies a dip near 1.6kHz, upper-bass emphasis and uneven crossover-region dispersion. These issues and limited deep-bass capability keep it below the leading all-rounders despite its strong bass-normalized score. A subwoofer does not correct upper-frequency directivity errors.
Full Dynaudio LYD 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.3”D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 28mm soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons